Valley monitors show Rim fire smoke at unhealthy levels

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Air quality in Carson Valley will be moving between unhealthy and very unhealthy through the week, according to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection air quality monitors.

Elevated amounts of particulate matter in the air due to the Rim fire burning west of Yosemite will continue to plague Valley residents.

Found in smoke, fine particulate matter comprised of microscopic particles that can travel deep into lungs and is the pollutant of concern found in wildfire smoke, health officials said.

While everyone may experience varying degrees of symptoms, sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and anyone with respiratory and heart conditions are of greatest risk at experiencing more aggravated symptoms and serious complications. Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, headaches, stinging eyes or a runny nose.

Smoke might make symptoms of heart or lung disease worse. People with heart disease might experience chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, or fatigue. People with lung disease may not be able to breathe as deeply or as vigorously as usual, and they may experience symptoms such as coughing, phlegm, chest discomfort, wheezing and shortness of breath. If you are experiencing such symptoms, please contact your healthcare professional or call 9-1-1 for an ambulance.

In general take precautions such as:

• Staying indoors with the windows and doors closed and air conditioner on.